Katy's Suite

Both beauty and brilliant businesswoman, Katy hit it big during the gold rush, designing a palace bar that would become renowned in Johannesburg, calling wild travellers and fortune finders from afar to experience the bounty of Africa at its best… Continue reading Katy’s story

In many ways, Katy was more suited to Europe than Africa, but the thought of moving away from her darling sister, Emily, and her family kept Katy’s feet firmly on African soil. She slowly grew to love the dusty streets of Johannesburg and its miners who sought solace in her palace bar, located in the centre of Jozi – The City of Gold.

Her natural beauty and easy smile were endearing to many and she was never short of suitors, leaving a long line of broken hearts in her wake. Running her palace bar was no easy feat and would have been impossible without the loyal help of her great childhood friend, Peter Bomba. Peter’s family worked on Emily and Katy’s family farm, overlooking the Odzi River, where both girls were born and raised. Peter was from the local Ndau tribe, and grew into a giant of a man. He was never far from Katy’s side, watching over her like a father, regularly dealing with an over interested gold digger or helping her clear the busy bar after the 4am closing time before escorting her home in the early hours.

The two sisters loved their time together, Emily often coming to the city just to be near Kate and listen to her fabulousness tales. And Katy trekking up north to join Emily on some safari or other, and of course eventually spending many happy years on the banks of the Bitou River, where Emily and Harry eventually settled.